The Dynamics and Mechanism of Human Thermal Adaptation in Building Environment : A Glimpse to Adaptive Thermal Comfort in Buildings

This book focuses on human adaptive thermal comfort in the building environment and the balance between reducing building air conditioning energy and improving occupants’ thermal comfort. It examines the mechanism of human thermal adaptation using a newly developed adaptive heat balance model, and presents pioneering findings based on an on online survey, real building investigation, climate chamber experiments, and theoretical models. The book investigates three critical issues related to human thermal adaptation: (i) the dynamics of human thermal adaptation in the building environment; (ii) the basic rules and effects of human physiological acclimatization and psychological adaptation; and (iii) a new, adaptive, heat balance model describing behavioral adjustment, physiological acclimatization, psychological adaptation, and physical improvement effects. Providing the basis for establishing a more reasonable adaptive thermal comfort model, the book is a valuable reference resource for anyone interested in future building thermal environment evaluation criteria. Front Matter ....Pages i-xvi Introduction (Maohui Luo)....Pages 1-30 Indoor Climate Experience and Thermal Comfort Expectation in Buildings (Maohui Luo)....Pages 31-57 The Timescale of Thermal Comfort Adaptation in Heated and Unheated Buildings (Maohui Luo)....Pages 59-80 Indoor Climate and Physiological Acclimation (Maohui Luo)....Pages 81-110 Personal Control and Its Phycological Effects on Thermal Adaptation (Maohui Luo)....Pages 111-130 Adaptive Heating Balance Comfort Model (Maohui Luo)....Pages 131-143 Summary (Maohui Luo)....Pages 145-147 Back Matter ....Pages 149-160